Some biochemical characteristics of endangered plant species cultured in vitro

Abstract

Aim. Determination of total soluble protein content, polyfructan content and antioxidant activity in the extracts of five endangered plant species cultured in vitro in comparison with the same characteristics of in vivo grown plants according to the literature data. Methods. Fructan content in the extracts of fresh leaves was determined with Sеlivanov method. Antioxidant activity was measured with using DPPH method. Bradford method was used for total soluble protein determination. Results. Leaf extracts of in vitro grown plants of four studied species except G. glabra showed high polyfructan content while high AOA and high protein content were determined for all studied species. There were no significant differences in the level of biological activity of in vitro plants and plants grown in vivo shown in other previous publications. Conclusions. The data on AOA, protein and polyfructan content confirmed a possibility of using in vitro grown plants of these species as a potential source of corresponding chemical compounds without disturbing their natural habitats. Crambe tataria was not ever studied for AOA, protein and polyfructan content, and our data show it is worth studying as a potential medical plant.

Keywords: endangered species, in vitro culture, antioxidant activity, protein content, polyfructan content.